Benefits For ADULT SOCIAL CARE Clients And THEIR Carers

ONLINE WORKSHOP

Available for In-House Bookings for individual organisations, either On-Site or Online. 

This Workshop looks at the benefit entitlements of Adult Social Care clients with emphasis on two settings in particular:  Shared Lives (also known as adult placements) and Supported Living.

We begin by looking at the benefit entitlements of shared lives clients:  

· Universal Credit for both living costs and housing costs to cover the rent payable to the carer/householder:

     o Ensuring that the agreement operates on a commercial basis;

     o The amount of the housing element;

     o Issues arising when the carer and client are related;

     o Limited capability for Work, Work-related Activity and conditionality.

· Legacy benefits for those who have not yet migrated to UC

    o Employment and Support Allowance:

          § Rate of entitlement, including the rules about the Severe Disability Premium

    o Housing Benefit (including the reasons why shared lives placements are not regarded as supported accommodation for HB purposes).

· Migration to Universal Credit:

    o Voluntary migration for those better off on UC;

    o Natural migration where a change of circumstance (eg moving into a shared lives placement) prompts a claim for UC;

     o Managed migration: the phasing out of legacy benefits by 2028/29;

     o Maximising entitlement for those affected by migration.

· Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

We also look at the implications for shared lives carers:

· Two separate income streams?

     o Rent from lodger, fees for care and support.

· Universal Credit

     o Including the carer element for those earning too much to get Carers Allowance;

     o Effect on cared-for person’s benefit.

· Working Tax Credit.

· Paying tax on shared lives placement income:

     o Qualifying care relief;

     o Choosing between full or simplified accounts.

The final part of the day looks at commissioned supported housing schemes other than shared lives:

· What is “specified accommodation”, for which new working age housing benefit claims may still be made and which is not funded by UC?

· Understanding the difference between “exempt accommodation” and other specified accommodation.

· Different rules for registered Housing Associations and other landlord types.

· The non-profit incorporation models associated with specified accommodation.

· The amount of HB payable for different supported housing models.

· The landlord’s niche/complementary support role alongside a commissioned care provider in a supported living scheme, and why it is of critical importance for HB purposes.

About the presenter: Peter Barker is one of the country's foremost experts on Housing Benefit in general and has a wealth of experience in handling complex exempt accommodation case work, including appeals to both First-Tier and Upper Tribunals. His work has involved assisting both accommodation providers and local authorities with courses and consultancy work for a diverse range of client groups, including drug and alcohol recovery, youngsters estranged from their families, ex-offenders, mental health, and profound learning disability and/or physical disability. Peter's unique insight from the point of view of both providers and decision makers enables him to help providers, Commissioners and HB decision makers deal with the issues involved in a fair. amicable and positive way.

Topics Covered:  

· Benefits for "shared lives" clients

 Universal Credit

      § Living costs and housing costs

o Legacy means tested benefits

      § ESA

      § HB

o Migration from legacy benefits to UC

o Personal Independence payment

· Benefits and Tax for “shared lives” carers

o Universal Credit

o Working tax Credit

o When rent income and care/support fees need to be separated

o How income is taxed

· Other supported housing models

o “Specified” and “Exempt” accommodation

o Non-profit landlords

o Registered housing associations

o Landlord’s support role in supported living

o How different provision models affect HB entitlement

We are always pleased to arrange most of our Workshops, such as this one, for staff from an individual organisation to be held at their own training venue or by Zoom/TEAMS. Please email us with your requirements for details.